So, I use my controller a lot on PC for most games and bought an Xbox One controller last year, but the worst failture has striken me: the drifting issue. It seems Microsoft is aware of it but don't feel like fixing this in their controllers so I'm looking for a decent pc controller that is not from Microsoft since the drifting issue is making any game unplayable

3 years ago

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PS5 controller?

3 years ago
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Could be an option. Apparently PS4 controllers can have this issue too

3 years ago
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I've been using a PS3 controller for many years now, perhaps they last longer? I use a program to trick games into thinking it's an xbox pad (ScpToolkit).

3 years ago
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Dualsense controllers use the same switches and potentiometers as the PS4.
So, in due time, drifting is bound to happen with PS5 as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rNITneXnCo&ab_channel=TronicsFix

3 years ago
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+1 for DualSense

3 years ago
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well dualsense already has this problem for some users

3 years ago
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The 360 pad has served me well for years, never had any issues whatsoever.

3 years ago
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I have one too but it was a wired one and the wire started to act weird and disconnect so I bought the Xbone one

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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An official one from Microsoft

3 years ago
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I have a pdp controller and no issues whatsoever.

3 years ago
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Got official wired one, never had problems.

3 years ago
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I've got an official wired controller from Microsoft, and one of its analog sticks has a slow drift to the right. If I push left, and carefully let it recenter, it goes away, but if it I let it snap back to center from any direction, there's a slow right drift.

It's not bad enough to "make any game unplayable," but it's annoying, and it definitely can affect wired controllers. I suspect it's hit-or-miss as to whether any specific device has the problem, and it's likely a problem with the mechanical device and its position sensors, not the interface (USB vs. BlueTooth).

3 years ago
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have the same problem with my wired xbox 360 controller. its fine if i just dont move well playing. it lasted 6 years

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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^^^

3 years ago
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I have a pair for my PC
Easy SMX ESM-9101 with battery
I have also the old Easy SMX- 9013 but the 9101 has improved a lot

3 years ago
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I have the 9013 model, which I like a lot, but I find the right stick too springy and not smooth and precise enough to aim. Has that been improved on the 9101 model? Thanks.

3 years ago
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For me is bether at new model the croos stick improve a lot and the sticks are more precise. I my son opinion is still too many sensible and graduate it to play fornite but he always play with it.
Whe have 3 gamepad for pc: ps4 controller, smx 9013 and the smx 9101 and the favorite for us is the 9101

3 years ago
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Thanks. I actually bought a Dualshock 4 on sale today but haven't had time to try it out.
edit: I have tried it out now and I really like it. The sticks are much smoother than on the 9013.

3 years ago*
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I'm using a PS4 controller without any problems, I would stick with a PS (or Xbox) controller, it's probably just that controller, get another one.

3 years ago*
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I have seen some unofficial ones that look high quality. My main issue with the PS4 ones is that they are kinda more expensive than normal Xbox ones.

3 years ago
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Here, PS4 controllers are cheaper than Xbox controllers...
The drifting in the left analog stick is chronic in both my official xbox controller, and a PowerA controller I have.
I have a number of genuine PS4 controllers, and have had no issues with them at all.

3 years ago
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Depends on location maybe, but it's holiday sales season and black Friday cyber Monday in NA so controllers might go half off. Even better if you have stores that have a trade in system for old gear or games. How often do you buy controllers anyways? I've never broken any yet so the only experience is when I traded in my old DS3 plus ten dollars for a DS4. On sales the price difference between controllers is worth the peace of mind imo.

The most comforting part about the big brand is that Steam and games recognize the DS4 natively and I won't have to worry about some driver or whatnot being unsupported etc.

3 years ago
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I have a Steam controller. It's good.

3 years ago
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I think I tried literally for dozens of hours, and I still can't get past the lack of the physical sticks. Also for some reason it always resets to some nonsense like mouse-like right touchpad instead of a stick-like behaviour (even in the "3rd person game with stick camera controls mode") and I genuinely gave up at this point. It doesn't save my settings, overlay does not work with it, sensitivity kind of varies with each game as it auto-uses mouse mode (and therefore mouse acceleration) and the list of problems just goes on and on and on.

3 years ago
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Must be a matter of what you are used to. I have never had nor used any other controller and I love the mouselike behaviour of the right pad. I just can't imagine how to play games with a stick instead of this convenient thing, as it is so fluent to look around with a camera, just as with a mouse (for example in third person action games). How does this work with a stick?
Recently I started a game where the pad emulated a usual stick and it was soooo slow, I had to look for a patch (and thankfully found one). To me it's the best idea somebody ever had when developing a controller. I hardly ever use mouse and keyboard anymore because this controller makes it superfluent for gaming.

3 years ago
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Must be a matter of what you are used to.

I'm used to mouse and keyboard, OR controller, both works really well. But this mix makes my brain go haywire :D

How does this work with a stick?

Frankly, a bit slower, depending on the game and its settings, but I'm generally not super into snappy-speed games, despite my history with some multiplayer PVP games. But generally it works in a way that if you tilt the stick slowly, then you start moving/turning slowly, even down to like 5% a second turn, or if you tilt it to the max, it's less than a second for 90° or so.

Really, half or even 80% of my frustration comes from not knowing why this does not work for me (emphasis on the for me, I had high hopes). Maybe my hands are too big for the touchpad. ( I fucking hate touchpad, and mouse acceleration on laptops, that does not help with the Steam controller). I think I miss the movement with the mouse when you pick that up and just quickly reposition on the mouse mat. And I forget that I'm "pressing" forward because I barely do anything with the controller, compared to actually pressing a button on a keyboard, or dragging-pulling a real stick.
I plan to spend some time and energy to actually tinker with it during December, because it's a beautiful piece of a tech... that feels so off for me. That's why I need time because I really, really hope that there is a customization option that will click for me. (But there is a chance it's a lack of feedback, doing stuff, and not just gently toucing a circle's points. :| )

3 years ago
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I miss the movement with the mouse when you pick that up and just quickly reposition on the mouse mat.

Weird, since that is precisely what I like about the Steam controller. Putting my thumb on that pad and using it exactly like I would use a mouse, look left and right and up and down and all the directions inbetween, not bound to the 8 directions of an analogue stick, with the speed of a mouse (mind you, walking and movement is done with the left stick).

Since you already seem to own one I wish you best of luck at becoming friends with your Steam controller. I like it :)

3 years ago
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not bound to the 8 directions of an analogue stick

What do you mean 8 directions? Analogue stick gives you the whole 360 degrees. Unless the game only recognises 8 directions you should have the whole range. Or did you mean the d-pad?

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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Will keep that in mind, thanks for sharing

3 years ago
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I've been using the Logitech F310 for years upon yeras without any issue

3 years ago
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+1

3 years ago
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+1

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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I've also been using Logitech F310 for years. It lets you switch between X Input and D Input so you can play older and newer games on the same controller without any messing around.

3 years ago
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i though the F710 had both Dinput and Xinput input mode?!
im using older CRP2 with Dinput only just fine
upgraded to DS4 for the analog sticks
both using steam settings

3 years ago
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Dualshock 4

3 years ago
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+1

3 years ago
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Whatever is the cheapest between Xbox One, Xbox Series, PS4 and PS5. I understand you had problems with your Xbox One controller, but really these are isolated cases. It's a great controller.

3 years ago
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I lost trust in Microsoft since apparently I have seen many cases of this exact issue and don't want to spend 50 or 60 $ if this will happen again

3 years ago
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Oh PS4 controller just uses a micro usb cable, so if for some reason it does go weird, you can replace it easily. You mentioned that you replaced one controller because of this issue. I don't own any newer Xbox ones to know what kind of connections they use. Last Xbox I owned was a looooong time ago. lol.

But all controllers do potentially suffer from the drifting issue. You can just be unlucky with them.

3 years ago*
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that's eventually gonna happen with any controller that has a stick. the new xbox series controllers are currently on sale at xbox.com for $40, free shipping. i picked one up and i really like the difference compared to xb1 controller.

3 years ago
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what country was the sale in? in my country 60$ for controller is actually big deal now, i hope i didn't miss this shit

3 years ago
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in the states.. sorry man i just checked though and they're back up to $60. i think it was just a black friday weekend thing.

3 years ago
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I like the Xbox One controllers the best. I have also Dualshock 3, Steam Controller. Had Dualshock 4, Razer Wolverine, Xbox 360.

3 years ago
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All controllers with an analog stick have a chance of this happening..

3 years ago
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This.
You either buy an expensive one and hope that it won't happen or you buy a cheap one and won't care if it will happen.

3 years ago
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In my personal experience, my expensive (genuine xb1) controller took a couple of years for analog to start playing up, the cheap one took a couple of months. Yeah, I won't be bothering with the cheap stuff anymore.

3 years ago
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Yeah that's pretty much the truth. Unfortunately ya just roll the dice and hope for the best.

3 years ago
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View attached image.
View attached image.
3 years ago
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lol

3 years ago
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After getting sick of buying cheap controllers I've decided to do a lot of research and get a proper one. The choice was between Xbox One and Dualshock 4 controllers and when it comes to stick drifting issues users of both reported issues with it. Some use it for years without issue, some get it after few months.

I think it's an issue that can happen with any controller though, so I'd just recommend buying the one you find most comfortable to use and buy it from a store that offers long warranty. I bought Xbox One controller few days ago from a store that offers 3 years warranty on it so I have no worries. Can't wait for it to be delivered.

3 years ago
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Do NOT get the 8bitdo controllers. They review well, and I liked the SF30 Pro as a compact controller with some acceptable design compromises, but it crapped out after three months. You pay more for an Xbox controller, but you get a quality product that lasts a lot longer.

3 years ago
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Strange, all my 8bitDo controllers work well and I have a few for the Switch.

3 years ago
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I like both XB1 and DS4 controllers.
I prefer the layout of the XB1, but the DS4 have been more reliable for me (plus DS4 has a customisable LED and trackpad, which can be cool and handy).

3 years ago
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get the one you are used to, xbox or PS4
new games tend to favor xbox but steam works great with both
outside steam it will take some effort

3 years ago
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My friend made me bought Logitech F710 with him 5-6 years ago. Currently playing Hades with it, it serves well..

3 years ago
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I'd buy another Xbox One controller(there's a new version that came out recently with a share button). If not another Xbox One controller then go for the PS5 DualSense controller. Steam just added support for the Dualsense.

As I mentioned above there's a chance drift will happen with any controller with an analog stick so it won't really matter which one you buy.

3 years ago
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You can usually sort stick drift out with a bit of alcohol solution & those q-tip things for cleaning out ears. Just soak the end of the q-tip in the alcohol & rub it around the analog stick while pressing down firmly. Usually does a good job of cleaning up the dust & grime, which is often the cause of stick drift - just make sure controller isn't on when you do that.

As for controllers, I recommend staying away from nacon & powerA. my powerA xbox one controller didn't even last a full playthrough of dark souls 3. RB button switch died mid way through. My nacon gc 100xf feels well built on the outside, but the rubber mounts inside are cheap/weak & they appear to have used a glue gun for some of the wires inside instead of a soldering iron, both of which resulted in a broken A button due to rubber spring breaking & the LB button stopping working when I opened it up to look at what was wrong with the A button because the glued wire for the LB button ended up coming off the board when I opened it up. I managed to fix both, but they don't always register 100% of the time. & the left analog stick keeps sticking - doesn't drift, just gets stuck sometimes when I pull it downwards & I can't figure out the cause of it. Let's just say it's making playing Sekiro much harder than it should be. Oh well.

3 years ago
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I saw that trick on YouTube but didn't work for me. At least I haven't tried doing that by pressing the stick, will try that. Thanksfor sharing.

3 years ago
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I meant while pressing the q-tip down firmly so that the alcohol squeezes out of it more. But yeah, if you push the stick in too then you can clean underneath the plastic bit of the case the stick is in too as that could have dust & grime on it as well.

3 years ago
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Had an old Xbox fake controller which served me well until recently one of the bumpers did not work anymore (probably due to me pressing it too hard). After that i bought another similar but it was glitchy so i returned it. Then i bought an official Xbox wireless for PC (and Xbox too). I did not have much problems with it except the colored buttons is a bit hard to press sometimes and that it can stop working on a specific USB port sometimes. It works fine mostly. If you want a properly working controller though i advise you to get a PS4 or PS5 one.

3 years ago
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If you have an old PS1 or PS2 laying around, you can get a USB adapter on Amazon for very little money. I've been playing on a PS1 Dualshock ever since my 360 controller died years ago. I've used it for double digit hours every week. If this DualShock dies, I still have other controllers from those old consoles. I used to need to mess with x360ce on some game services, but now I just try to run everything with a Steam overlay so I can use Valve's configuration tool. Aside from the occasional desire to try a fight stick, flight stick, or PSNow-compliant controller, I don't see myself using anything else for many years to come.

3 years ago
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Astro C40 TR have modular\magnets thumbstick you can change them without need to open the controller or desolder the components , but if is a good deal for you or not depend on your country prices (must to check how much is priced the module and if is avaible).
it need just to remove some screwn in the front faceplate and then the new thumbstick with magnets will stick to the modular places.

3 years ago*
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3 years ago
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WoW, I have the original of this gamepad.
Too bad it doesn't seem to contain USB.

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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Maybe it is so.
In any case, the gamepad is bundled with a very old (over 20 years old) console.

3 years ago
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3 years ago
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I have controllers:
Dualshok 4, Xbox 360, Xbox one, Logitech
Dualshock 4 seems to me the most convenient, the least problematic is xbox 360, and all these controllers work adequately through the steam and I don't see any problems with them.

3 years ago
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How long did you have the controller before the joystick drift issues started showing up? I have 3 Xbox One controllers and one Xbox 360 controller and none have had any drifting issues. My problem was the rubber on the 360 joystick started wearing out but it's still very usable. I think you were probably unlucky because it doesn't seem like a widespread issue, so I wouldn't write off all Microsoft controllers just based on that. Maybe Microsoft will fix/replace the faulty controller if you reach out, even if it's out of warranty they might just ask you to cover shipping and handling

3 years ago
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I bought recently the MSI GC30. I actually have not used it much so far, but my first impression is very positive.

https://www.msi.com/Gaming-Gear/Force-GC30.html

(My older controller is xbox 360, wired.)

3 years ago
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How does it feel as compared with the Xbox 360 controller? I have had the Logitech F360 and 8bitdo SF Pro, and the analog sticks are fine but the rest are comparatively more clicky with less spring / resistance than the Xbox 360 controller.

3 years ago
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Well i cant say alot right now, but they are quite similar in feel. 360 has rubber on the joystick, i guess thats better, but then again, the rubber will start wearing out. My 360 is wired, but you can use the GC30 both ways, so that a huge pluss for me.

3 years ago
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an xbox one controller is your best choice when it comes to pc since most of games comes already supporting it so you dont have to install or use 3rd party app or mod the game ( except for old games)

3 years ago
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+1

3 years ago
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